goodsamaritanadams@gmail.com
If you have anything you would like to share you can send them to me at the email listed above.
Want a good video camera for mounting to your bow, gun or a tree stand exedra?
Try GoPro Hero Action Cameras.
Saskatchewan hunter Milo N. Hanson harvested the World's Record typical whitetail deer in 1992, on his own land.
Working long days as a grain and cattle farmer in Biggar, Saskatchewan, Milo N. Hanson doesn't have the time or money to hunt all over the continent. Then again he hasn’t had to travel far to find incredible hunting. In fact, while hunting on his own property, in 1992, Hanson ended up reaping more from his fields than the usual autumn harvest.
“On the night of November 22, we had fresh snow, and I called the guys to plan our hunt," Hanson said. "The next morning, I met my neighbor, John Yaroshko, and we drove to meet Walter Meger and Rene Igini. When we pulled up, I knew something was happening because they were excited. They said they spotted a monster buck entering a willow run and it handn't come out.
“Rene walked the track while the rest of us surrounded the willows," Hanson said. "I took a position that would keep the buck from running south onto nearby posted land. The buck bolted, giving me my first look at it. Believe me, my heart was pumping! We shot but missed it.
TROPHY STATS
SCORE: 213-5/8
LOCATION: Biggar, Saskatchewan
HUNTER: Milo N. Hanson
OWNER: Milo N. Hanson
DATE: 1993
“Rene stayed on its tracks," Hanson said, "and eventually lost the buck in a maze of other deer tracks because the big buck's tracks weren’t large. Just when we were getting frustrated and ready to move on, the big buck ran out of an aspen bluff and headed into a willow run on my land.
"We posted ourselves around the willows," Hanson said, "and Rene walked the buck’s tracks. The buck ran flat out about 150 yards broadside from John and me. I think we both got buck fever this time! We fired several shots, but missed the racing buck.
“We moved up to the next willow run, and when the buck ran out it turned straight away from me," Hanson said. "I fired and the buck went down to its knees. ‘You got him!’ John hollered.
“Unfortunately, the buck got up and ran into a nearby aspen stand," Hanson said. "I ran up the hill to where it disappeared and saw it below me, standing still. I aimed through my 4-power scope and fired another shot with my .308 Winchester Model 88 lever-action. Down it went. I saw its head over a clump of willows. To ensure it stayed down, I fired another shot and the hunt ended.
“Shooting this buck gave me a feeling I will probably never experience again," Hanson said, "even though I had no idea it would be declared the new Boone and Crockett Club's world’s record. I had never seen a bigger buck. The buck left me shaking.”
Life on the farm took a turn. Following preliminary measurements that put the whitetail in the running for the new world’s record, Hanson's home was under siege from journalists, promoters, antler collectors, and well-wishers. After the 60-day drying period, Norm Parchewsky, Robert Allemand, and Allan Holtvogt, all Boone and Crockett official measurers, scored the buck at 213-1/8 in a ceremony attended by more than 400 people.
At the 22nd Big Game Awards Program in Dallas, Texas, the Boone and Crockett Club Judges’ Panel declared Hanson’s buck the new world’s record typical whitetail with a final score of 213-5/8 points.
The largest buck shot in N.Y. State
The two biggest non-typical Whitetail Deer ever killed
The Tucker Buck.
 |
| The Brewster buck. |
Did you know the oldest recorded whitetail buck shot in the wild was roughly 15 teen years old.
5 myths that anti-hunters believe.
By Hunter Ed.
Some topics divide people so strongly that it's hard for people on opposite sides to have a real conversation about them. Those topics tend to be things people feel very passionately about, like religion, politics, college football teams . . . and hunting.
Hunters know one thing about anti-hunters: They don't want us to hunt any animals – ever. However, we love hunting and can't stand the thought of someone taking away our opportunity to do it.
On the other hand, anti-hunters know one thing about hunters: Hunters kill animals, and they don't want that to happen – ever.
Now, why anti-hunters don't want any animals to die, ever, is a complex story. It's pretty safe to say that most of them don't understand the natural world the way devoted hunters do.
Anti-hunters probably haven't seen the violent way predators like coyotes, bobcats, and wolves bring down their prey. In fact, many anti-hunters rely on some timeworn myths when they react negatively to hunters. So, what are they, and how can you respond?
Hunter-Ed believes hunting education is for all, even those who don't believe hunting is a legitimate aspect of the circle of life. So, keep reading to learn about five myths anti-hunting people may believe and why they are "myths."
Myth 1: Hunters Have an Unfair Advantage Over Defenseless Animals
Modern rifles do allow hunters to kill animals quickly and humanely at hundreds of yards. However, in the hunting world, most hunters must get much closer.
Additionally, while humans hunt game animals for three or four months of the year, other predators hunt their prey every day. So, prey animals have gotten very good at detecting and avoiding predators. These animals use keen eyesight, hearing, and smell to avoid predators and can detect them at unbelievable distances.
Predators Hunt Year-Round (But Humans Don't)
African wild dogs have the highest success rate in the world for catching their prey, around 80% of the time. Compare that to one of their cousins, the wolf, which is another effective predator. Their success rate is somewhere around 10%. Almost all large ground predators (from bobcats to lions) will have a success rate of 5-30%.
Now, most people would assume – anti-hunters and hunters alike – that humans with modern technology would be much more successful hunters than animals. However, they would all be wrong. A 2020 study in Indiana showed a 20-22% "harvest per effort" rate in state parks for firearm hunters. That rate falls to 8-10% for bowhunters.
Success rates for "human" hunters vary by state and region throughout a white-tail hunting season. According to the National Deer Association's (NDA) Deer Report 2024, about 41% of hunters harvested a deer during the 2022-2023 season.
Notably, those are statistics for an entire hunting season; wild predators would starve if they only took one prey animal over just a few months. Clearly, wild animals can successfully avoid human hunters most of the time.
Myth 2: Hunters Don't Like Animals
If you're unfamiliar with hunters, it does seem strange to think that hunters could love animals, shoot them, and eat them.
Hundreds of years ago, feeling affection for animals was probably a luxury that most people couldn't afford. People were too busy hunting and gathering to think about or attach feelings to animals. They just saw their next source of a meal.
However, as we developed farming and ranching practices that could provide more than enough food for our families and society, free time allowed our minds to wander. People began to hunt animals for more than just food; it was an adventure, a return to our roots and nature, and, for some, a competition for bragging rights.
Somewhere in there, a few people began to think maybe hunting wasn't right.
Most hunters today still have a deep love for the beauty and just plain awesomeness of animals. In Europe, a tradition began of giving harvested animals a "last bite" to show respect and thankfulness to the animal. Native Americans were particularly reverent about hunting, and their practice of thanking and asking forgiveness of the animal in prayer has carried on with many American hunters today.
At the very least, all hunters understand that we cannot hunt without animals, so we devise many laws, ethical guidelines, and conservation rules to preserve them for the rest of our existence.
Myth 3: Hunting is About Violence and a Product of Sick Minds
This is one myth that hunters might have helped create. We have not been careful about the way we portray ourselves.
We have advertising and marketing that talks about "rage," "weapons," and "attacking." We have TV shows that show wild, loud celebrations when an animal is killed.
However, that's not how most hunters approach hunting; it's just misguided marketing. The hunters you probably know seek to limit violence and pain. Their motivation is not the moment of killing, but all the challenges before and rewards after.
Many hunters have a brief moment of remorse when they are successful. Taking the life of an animal is serious. It is necessary and can bring happiness, but it is never flippant and is not adversarial.
Sometimes, we should look at ourselves while standing in a non-hunter's shoes. Are we being respectful of life? Are we using words that should be applied to hunting . . . or to battle? Hunters must present themselves as respectful of animals and nature if they hope to change the minds of anti-hunters.
Hunting is not a battle against animals. It's not a game. It's a means to feed ourselves. It's a natural extension of our predatory instincts and motivations.
Myth 4: Hunters and Poachers Are the Same
This is probably the most misguided myth and the one about which hunters can be really upset.
As hunters, we learn about hunting ethics and pass them along to future generations. We intentionally make hunting success more difficult for ourselves by implementing laws and ethics to protect animals and nature.
However, poachers aren't hunters . . . they're criminals. Because of poachers, anti-hunters want to eliminate legitimate hunting, for example, where elephants are overcrowded. These anti-hunters seem to be blinded by the fact that poachers kill thousands of elephants every year, often when legitimate hunters and safari operators are not allowed to act as police.
Yet, anti-hunters don't seem to equate the amazing conservation successes of true hunters for the past 100+ years with the potential to eliminate poaching.
Like in the misguided marketing mentioned in the previous myth, there are always bad apples among our ranks who spoil the whole bunch of us in anti-hunters' eyes. Even if those hunters aren't poachers, the guys who shoot more than they should, leave their trash in the field, and hunt illegally across fence lines give all hunters a bad name.
Anti-hunters don't know we're more ashamed of them than they are.
Myth 5: Hunting is About Misguided Masculinity or Conquering
About 22% of U.S. hunters are women and female participation in hunting is growing faster than that of men. Anti-hunters don't know that, evidently (and when they find out, they tend to make sexist attacks on them).
There is absolutely no difference in women's ability to hunt compared to men, and women have historically participated in traditional hunter/gatherer tribes around the world. Bigger, stronger men don't have an advantage in shooting a scoped rifle compared to women, children, or smaller guys. They may pull a stronger compound bow, but strength doesn't help them aim straight.
Hunting can be challenging, and many of us like it that way. However, our joy in overcoming the challenges to be successful is not in "conquering" an animal; rather, it's enjoying our ability to be self-sufficient, to provide food, and to put our minds to work at accomplishing a simple yet challenging task.
Think about why you hunt and why your friends and family do, too. You may never have the chance to convince an anti-hunter that what you do is really OK – but then again, maybe you will. If you get that chance, maybe this blog post will help you!
Knowledge Helps Bust Anti-Hunting Myths
While it could be a stretch to encourage an anti-hunter to take a hunter education course, it could help open their eyes to why and how we hunt ethically. Learning about why we have hunting laws, how hunting licenses, courses, and proper practices benefit conservation efforts, and the image a responsible hunter wants to portray can help anti-hunting people gain greater insights into the reality of hunting and hunters.
If you have an anti-hunting friend, Hunter-Ed can help! If you've taken your state-approved hunter education course through Hunter-Ed, you know we cover the topics mentioned above and much more to help hunters stay safe in the field. With your account, you can access our online study guide, where you can find resources to help you respond to anti-hunters when they bring up any of the five myths we busted today.
Find the course for your state, then make sure you have an account where you can access our online course material, take and pass your safety certification exam, and arm yourself with the knowledge to respond to anti-hunting conversations.
1. Pre-Planning: Know Where to Hunt
As you plan your turkey hunt, success is all about location, location, location.
Choosing between public and private property is usually the first step in deciding where you hunt. If a particular piece of private land catches your eye, many landowners and farmers are open to hunters who want to chase turkeys. However, always get a landowner's permission before you begin hunting on their property.
You can also contact a government organization, like your state wildlife agency, for public recommendations. From there, review the location using an app or aerial map from Google Maps.
Big Game Logic explains how a wide view of the area not only familiarizes you with a target spot but also allows you to determine how turkeys may enter and exit the location.
2. The Trek: Road Scouting
ATVs, SUVs, and pickup trucks are top vehicles for your hunting adventure. As a hunter's No. 1 choice, trucks offer the horsepower, bed space, and ability to traverse rugged land, so make sure to equip your truck with all-terrain tires that have reliable traction and tread surface to handle all types of on- and off-road hunting adventures.
For novice hunters, your four-wheel drive truck can be a valuable asset while hunting. You can scout entirely from your truck behind a pair of binoculars, especially in the morning.
Before the sun rises on a calm, clear morning is the best time of day to know where turkeys go after coming out of a roost. You'll also be able to hear their whereabouts.
During this pre-dawn scout, stop often to hoot and listen. Observe the sand, mud, and dirt beneath you to identify any signs of a bird. Keep an eye out for toe trackings, droppings, and feathers that can lead you to a win.
Be aware that you can only scout on approved roads and that hunting from your vehicle is illegal in most cases. Exceptions are sometimes made for hunters with disabilities, but check your state's hunting regulations for specifics.
3. Find the Hens: Refining Gobbler Hunting Skills
Calling hens can be an excellent way to find more birds and improve your chances of a successful hunt. We found a few expert tips for hunting from three national turkey-calling champions.
Shane Hendershot, a two-time national grand champion, explains that one of his most deadly tactics is to disguise himself as a flock of turkeys rather than just a single bird. Different calls can include gobbler yelps, a box or pot call, diaphragm in mouth, and kee-kees.
Mitchell Johnson, 2009 world friction calling champion, adds that reading a bird's mood is also important. Try out different calls with a clear or raspy voice to see which one attracts the turkey's response. Stick with that call, then resort to silence to bring in the tom if it stops moving and stays in one place.
For Ben Yargus, 2008 grand national champion, once he knows where specific birds regularly roost throughout the season, he'll use a small saw to cut tree limbs and build a natural blind to conceal himself during calls. Make sure the blind is tall enough to hide behind yet small enough for you to swing your gun into action.
The closer you can get to the turkey, the better you can observe their behavior to your advantage.
4. Choose a Hunting Partner: Two is Better than One
One great benefit of hunting as a team, rather than solo, is that each hunter brings a different skill set to the hunt. A pair can also utilize better strategies that can be difficult to deploy alone.
Rex Reynolds, a passionate turkey-hunting sportsman and Wild Turkey Report contributor, shares that each hunter can scout and roost birds in two different areas as options for the best hunt. Then, by morning, your team can meet up to exchange ideas, decide on the best one, and execute different calling styles.
A two-person setup is also advantageous: As one hunter serves as a caller, the shooter can run a good distance ahead, even throwing out a few yelps and preparing to shoot once the turkey enters the shooting range.
Bowhunting for Beginners: Tips and Advice
Bowhunting is surely a thrilling way to hunt, which requires you to get in close range to take a shot. Archery dates back to 10,000 BC and it’s one of the oldest forms of hunting. If you are just starting bowhunting, it can get intimidating with all the terminology, gear, and equipment involved. We have compiled a list of tips and advice from the best hunting experts and their experience.
As a beginner, you may think why you should take bowhunting as a sport when you can use guns and rifles for hunting.
Bow-hunters pick up this sport because of the challenge they are presented with to aim with a stick and string. It is a sport that requires people to get in a close range to hunt. It is a famous sport among youth and women. Bowhunting is great for your health as drawing a bowstring engages all of your upper body muscles and increases your hand-eye coordination and strength.
There are different types of bows such as longbow, recurve, crossbow, and compound.
A longbow is a traditional straight longbow made of wood. These days it is also made of composite materials such as fiberglass being a part of it.
Recurve bow is an evolved form of the longbow and dates back to more than 2500 years ago. To enhance durability and strength, new models incorporate carbon materials and fiberglass.
Crossbows are most commonly used these days. They are legal to use for hunting in every state except Oregon. It’s a small bow that is mounted to a gunstock. They are easier to use than other bows.
Compound bows are the newest type of bows and are a lot more powerful than others.
Fundamentals of learning to shoot a Bow
Keep the following things in mind when practicing for bowhunting.
- Stance
Always stand upright with your body sideways to your target, feet should be apart as per your shoulder width and your weight evenly distributed between them.
- Nocking
When you’re placing an arrow on the bow, the odd color vane should be facing toward you. The nock fits on the string at a specific spot market by beads fitted to the string.
- Aiming
The most important factor in aiming is to maintain your stance as mentioned above. If you have a proper draw, you should be looking directly down the arrow aligning it with the target you are trying to hit.
- Drawing
When you’re drawing, make sure the arm holding the bow should be straight. The elbow of the drawing arm should be kept high. Keep pulling back until your hand is anchored at a point along your jaw and cheek just below your eyes so that you can see straight down the arrow at the target.
- Release
When you’re at a full draw position, and you’re sure that you have a good aim at your target, relax the muscles of your string fingers until the arrow is loose.
Essential Bowhunting Gear and Equipment
- Bow Sight – Most hunters use a bow sight and there are multiple options ranging from simply fixed pins and set for different ranges.
- Bow Release – These are useful because they provide a reliable arrow release and enhance arrow stability and precision.
- Bow Stabilizer – It helps stabilize the aim and bow stabilizers have rubber materials that help with silencing the blow on the release of the arrow.
- Arrow Rest – It’s a part of the bow that supports the arrow during the draw and release stage. There are many options available for the archer to choose from in the market.
- Hunting Clothing – Buy camo gear to conceal yourself from the prey.
- Binoculars – A good pair of binoculars can help you a great deal while stalking your prey.
Preparations for Successful Hunting
Scouting- Find the place where the animals are moving to and from, feeding, and sleeping, and the best spots to set up your stands.
Gear Prep – Prepare a checklist and pack your gear the day before.
Set Up your Tree stand – Try to set up your tree stand weeks before the season
Bagging your First Kill – Be prepared to experience buck fever while aiming directly at your prey. When you take a kill shot, you will have to track it and field dress the animal to take out its internal organs.
Bowhunting is a long learning process, and it can take years of practice. But, once you master it, it’s the most thrilling and enjoyable form of hunting.
10 Bowhunting Tips for Beginners
Deer hunting season is back and when that big buck wanders by, you want to be as ready as you can to take the best shot. Bow hunting is a fun and adventurous way to hunt wild game. For hunters new to archery, it’s best to put the time in before the hunt begins to be well-prepared. These 10 simple bowhunting tips can go a long way towards improving your hunt.
1. Get Comfortable in the Field
You’re going to hunt out of a tree or in a forest, so get comfortable. Have your archery gear ready, wear comfortable camouflage clothing and pack your necessities for the long hunt. Remember that the trees are where most hunt deer from, so focus and train on shooting downward. Don’t forget to wear a harness for safety!
2. Maintain Your Bow
Bow maintenance checks are an extremely important part of hunting safely and avoiding injury. If your a single season hunter that means your bow has been in storage during the off season. Temperatures can change often in various environments and boxes can get shuffled around so it’s very important to check bowstrings, cables as well as your limbs before shooting.
3. Train Your Dominate Eye
While some professional shooters close their lesser eye during a competition, it’s not the same as putting the right pin on moving deer in low light. Once you learn which is your dominate eye, learn to aim having both eyes open. They say this provides the widest field of view.
4. Stick to a Light Draw Weight
Choose a compound archery bow that will allow you to shoot a lighter weight to start. You can gradually increase it as you get stronger but the less the better for beginners. You will know the draw weight is too much if you are shaking or inaccurate when coming to full draw.
5. Take the Right Shot
Understanding where to strike your deer or game most effectively is what archery hunting is all about. There’s no benefit to causing prolonged suffering for your target. You have to take the ethical and most lethal shot. Any amateur can sling arrows all over the field. Until you’re experienced, the best target area for deer is the lungs. The lungs offer the largest lethal area to hit.
6. Control Your Scent
While you are the one doing the hunting, the Deer have the upper hand. And it’s because of their noses. Control your body odor by showering with scentless soap or body wash. Absolutely no cologne and make sure your clothes are washed with scentless detergent. You need to get as close as possible to your big game without it seeing, hearing or smelling you.
7. Start Early
Early season for archery hunting starts in the late summer while fields are still green. Deer are focused on feasting on late summer food, making them easier to ambush as they roam. They are still in their summer pattern and likely not used to hunters being in the field yet. Get in early during the season and try to learn the deer feeding and movement patterns.
8. Be Prepared to Get Lucky!
That’s right! All the trail research, deer sign tracking, and careful preparation can’t predict what a deer will do on any given day. Sometimes you’ll spend the whole day without taking a single shot. Other times the deer will do what you least expect and stop right in front of you for an easy shot. Be prepared for those rare easy opportunities. The best carry a ‘good luck’ charm for a reason.
9. Be Prepared for Failure Too
Sometimes the target is on sight and the moment is perfect. Then suddenly…a branch gets in the way, the wind gusts out of control or another animal darts by distracting you or your prey. Don’t beat yourself up over circumstances you can’t control. You won’t be aiming for every deer you see. Be ready for the long wait. Part of being patient involves keeping your eyes and ears ready and alert. Every professional archery hunter faces a bad beat sometimes.
10. Enjoy the Great Outdoors
It’s not just about the hunt. It’s about being outdoors in nature and taking some time off from staring at your phone all day. Breathe the fresh air, watch the movement of the clouds, trees and wildlife all around you. The sunrise and sunset feel a little extra special when you have a bow in your hands. Connect with your fellow hunters and most importantly, make it home safe.
Even though many of these tips may seem obvious, it’s always good to review the basics before every hunting season. If you’re just starting out, get to a popular archery range to practice and keep these tips in mind for the field. Any instructor or experienced hunter can familiarize you with all basics and the best archery equipment and accessories.
Looking for a good grunt call try Primos Rut Roar a very good Hunting call company.
Biggest buck shot in 2023 hunting season, in N.Y. state
Shot with a 308-caliber Thompson/Center Encore
 |
| Big poppa scored 175 and 6/8 |
Fact. Did you know the 3 of the heaviest whitetails are 412 451 511 lbs.
Well, you know it now!
Deer hunting tip by Mike Provo-Tennesse
{1 How your equipment shoots.
{2 Scout where the deer feed, buck rubs, and a good scouting camera.
{3 SCENT CONTROL is Critical, where the deer come from.
Turkey hunting tip by Mike Provo-Tennesse
{1. Know your equipment.
{2. Scout-Where the birds are.
{3. Don't over call once you call a bit they know where you are.
{4. Make sure you're in full camo.
What is the heaviest wild turkey ever killed?
Looking for good Hunting and fishing material? Try looking up Mountain lessons and Lake Lessons by Jerry Ross; two very good devotional books.
Did you know that Whitetails are the state animal of Mississippi, Arkansas, Illinois, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, South Carolina and Nebraska?
Well, you know it now!
During the white-tailed deer rut try using a bleat can 3 times every ten minutes with coordinating grunt calls.
No comments:
Post a Comment